INFINITIVE
Practice
Complete the sentences, using a verb from the box. Use each verb once.
Help speak buy get on stay look after find telephone go out
1 We decided .to go. to Spain for our holidays.
2 She learnt ______________Arabic when she was a child.
3 I tried ________________you but there was no answer.
4 They refused ______________the plane.
5 She hopes ______________a job soon.
6 Did you forget ______________the bread?
7 I'm tired: I don't want ____________tonight.
8 They offered ________________the children for the evening.
9 They're planning_______________ with us for the weekend.
10 He agreed______________________ us with our problem.
to + infinitive to express purpose
• to + infinitive is used to express purpose:
I came here to see you.
I went to London to study English.
I drove to the airport to meet my parents.
Practice
Express each question and answer as one sentence, using to + infinitive.
Note that you will need to change some words.
1 Q: Why do you go to the beach every weekend? -
A: Because I like swimming.
She goes to the beach every weekend to swim.
2 Q: Why did you move to London?
A: I wanted to find work.
He____________________________
3 Q: Why are you leaving home?
A: I'm going to university in Birmingham.
She____________________________
4 Q: Why are you having a party?
A: It's my thirtieth birthday, and I want to celebrate it.
He____________________________
5 Q; Why do you get up at six every morning?
A: I do my training then.
She____________________________
6 Q: Why are you going out?
A: I want to post a card to my mother.
He____________________________
7 Q: Why are you saving money?
A: We want to buy a car.
They ____________________________
8 Q: Why are you going to Egypt?
A: We want to visit Ali's parents.
They____________________________
9 Q: Why did you buy a new suit?
A: 1 want to wear it at the office party.
He____________________________
10 Q: Why did you buy a video recorder?
A: We want to record the World Cup Final.
They____________________________
in order to + infinitive, so as to + infinitive to express purpose
In order to + infinitive and so as to + infinitive are also used to express purpose.
• in order to + infinitive, can be more formal than to + infinitive:
In order to qualify for the award, you should be under twenty-five.
• in order to + infinitive and so as to + infinitive are more common than to +
infinitive before verbs like be, have, and know:
I got up early so as to be ready for John's phone call
• To express a negative purpose, in order not to + infinitive and so as not to
+ infinitive are more common than not to + infinitive:
He opened the door quietly so as not to disturb the baby.
Practice
Rewrite these sentences without changing their meaning, using the words in
brackets. You will need to omit some words, and you may need to change the
word order.
EXAMPLES
1 She put the letter in her bag because she didn't want to lose it. (so as)
She put the letter in her bag so as not to lose it.
2 You should book your tickets early if you want to avoid disappointment. {in order to}
You should book your tickets early in order to avoid disappointment.
3 I'll leave work at 4.30 so I won't be late, (so as)
____________________________________________________________
4 Everybody stopped talking because they wanted to hear her sing. (in order)
____________________________________________________________
5 I need to watch you so T can understand what you are doing on the computer, (in order)
____________________________________________________________
6 If you want to pass the exam, you will need to study very hard, (in order)
____________________________________________________________
7 We don't want to waste any time, so let's start the meeting now. (so as)
____________________________________________________________
8 They moved out of the city because they wanted to have a quieter life, (in order)
____________________________________________________________
9 Keep the CD in its case. Then you won't damage it. (so as)
____________________________________________________________
10 He waited outside the house because he wauled to see her when she came home, (so as)
____________________________________________________________
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